Summer starts when the countryside is covered in white elderflower blooms sweeping English hedgerows. This elderflower liqueur recipe is the perfect accompaniment to your summer evening drinks.
In case you haven’t heard of elderflower liqueur before, St Germain is the best known brand with hints of citrus and tropical fruits, often served straight over ice. It’s also used in cocktails as well as mixed into Champagne or added to a gin and tonic. Now you can make your own homemade batch in a few simple steps, ready to drink in July.
- 20 freshly picked elderflower heads
- 1 litre of premium vodka
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1/2 an orange
- 1 sterilised Kilner jar
- 100g caster sugar
- 100ml water
- 1 sterilised Kilner bottle
- Pick the elderflowers and cut the flower heads off the thick stalks.
- Give them a shake to remove any bugs and place them in your Kilner jar.
- Top with the zest of 1 lemon and 1/2 an orange and pour over the vodka until the flowers and zest are fully covered.
- Close the lid and place in a cool, dark cupboard for 2-4 weeks, turning every few days.
- Once infused, gently heat the sugar with the water until the sugar has dissolved. Allow it to cool.
- Strain the elderflower, zest and vodka through a muslin or kitchen towel.
- Add the sugar syrup and decant into a sterilised bottle.
Enjoy!
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